I plan on looking at the issue of the Achievement Gap in science. There are a huge number of subtopics that could be explored but the gender based gap is one of particular interest to me. This interest has been sparked slowly, over time based on conversations with classmates in High School, College and post college life. The major contributing factor has to be my girlfriend who has a PhD in Environmental Chemistry and, through conversations with her, we have concluded that if surveyed there is a possibility that I would rank my comfort and knowledge of science higher than she would. The fact that this in no way reflects reality sends up major red flags. If this was an isolated personal feeling of lack of confidence, it could be written off as the usual variations in personality, however, similar sentiments have been expressed by a majority of my friends and family in the STEM fields.
This is an important question not only for equality but also for productivity and advancement as a society. The self-doubt present in the minds of accomplished, intelligent, capable female scientists can do nothing but hurt the fields. If a researcher is not confident, she is less likely to take chances and "push the envelope" with her research. If young women are told they are unable to perform in the STEM fields, either through grades, verbal discouragement, or unspoken biases it would seem reasonable to say that half of the most brilliant minds in a given field may be discriminated against or not given the confidence needed to succeed. I will admit a lack of knowledge in the direct impact this issue has in Rhode Island (possibly beyond the scope of education in general) but it is certainly a topic I am interested in looking into.
Some of the major questions I think need to be addressed are:
1) Is there a measurable achievement gap in the sciences based on gender?
2) Is the definition of "achievement" being tested a reasonable or reliable one?
3) Is the gender achievement gap equally broad across different socioeconomic statuses?
4) Is there a systematic bias built into how schools are run or how science curriculum is written that puts women at a disadvantage?
5) Do female teachers have more success decreasing the achievement gap than men?
6) Since Rhode Island has "District Fortresses" is there a significant difference between districts that can not be attributed to one of the other achievement gaps?
7) What type of solutions have been suggested as a way to combat the gender based science achievement gaps?
Possible sources for research include school graduation rates and enrollment data (if possible) as well as academic research materials. Professors from Northern Illinois University, Lee Shumow and Jennifer A. Schmidt, have published a book entitled, Enhancing Adolescents' Motivation for Science which has some information on the gender gap, and may have more peer reviewed literature as well. The best source would be peer reviewed, primary literature from people already looking into the issue.
This is an important question not only for equality but also for productivity and advancement as a society. The self-doubt present in the minds of accomplished, intelligent, capable female scientists can do nothing but hurt the fields. If a researcher is not confident, she is less likely to take chances and "push the envelope" with her research. If young women are told they are unable to perform in the STEM fields, either through grades, verbal discouragement, or unspoken biases it would seem reasonable to say that half of the most brilliant minds in a given field may be discriminated against or not given the confidence needed to succeed. I will admit a lack of knowledge in the direct impact this issue has in Rhode Island (possibly beyond the scope of education in general) but it is certainly a topic I am interested in looking into.
Some of the major questions I think need to be addressed are:
1) Is there a measurable achievement gap in the sciences based on gender?
2) Is the definition of "achievement" being tested a reasonable or reliable one?
3) Is the gender achievement gap equally broad across different socioeconomic statuses?
4) Is there a systematic bias built into how schools are run or how science curriculum is written that puts women at a disadvantage?
5) Do female teachers have more success decreasing the achievement gap than men?
6) Since Rhode Island has "District Fortresses" is there a significant difference between districts that can not be attributed to one of the other achievement gaps?
7) What type of solutions have been suggested as a way to combat the gender based science achievement gaps?
Possible sources for research include school graduation rates and enrollment data (if possible) as well as academic research materials. Professors from Northern Illinois University, Lee Shumow and Jennifer A. Schmidt, have published a book entitled, Enhancing Adolescents' Motivation for Science which has some information on the gender gap, and may have more peer reviewed literature as well. The best source would be peer reviewed, primary literature from people already looking into the issue.